The Freedom of Information Act provides a legal right to access records held by the Citizens Information Board. The Act places obligations on public bodies to make information available and supports transparency and accountability in decision-making.

Publication scheme

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2014, we publish information routinely as part of ourmodel publication scheme that was approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This scheme aims to make important information about our organisation easily available without the need to make a formal request. Information published under the scheme can be accessed through the menu on this page.

Your rights

Under the Act, individuals have the right to:

• Access records held by the Citizens Information Board
• Have personal information corrected where it is inaccurate, incomplete or misleading
• Obtain reasons for decisions that affect them

The records that may be accessed include:

• Records created since 21 April 1998
• Records created before that date where needed to understand later records
• Personal information held by the Citizens Information Board, regardless of when it was created

A request may be made where the information required is not available on this website.

Requests for information can be made under the Freedom of Information Act.

A request should:

• Be made in writing (including email)
• Clearly state that the request is made under the FOI Act
• Provide sufficient detail to identify the records required
• Indicate if the information is required in a particular format, such as a photocopy or electronic copy

Proof of identity may be required when requesting personal information.

Requests are acknowledged within 10 working days. A decision is issued within 20 working days.

Requests should be sent to:

Please submit your FOI request electronically, where possible

We are obliged by the legislation to charge fees for certain records accessed under the FOI Act.

Personal records

There is no charge for:

• Access to personal records
• Correction or amendment of personal information
• Access to records relating to decisions that directly affect the individual

Other records

Fees may be charged where the cost of processing a request exceeds €100. Charges include:

• Search and retrieval of records: €20 per hour
• Photocopying: €0.04 per sheet

A deposit of 20% of the estimated cost is required where the cost of search and retrieval exceeds €100.

Fees also apply to reviews and appeals:

• Internal review: €30 (€10 for medical card holders)
• Appeal to the Information Commissioner: €50 (€15 for medical card holders)

If a decision is not satisfactory, an internal review may be requested.

A further appeal can be made to the Office of the Information Commissioner.

Further information

You can find further information at www.foi.gov.ie

The Freedom of Information Act 2014 requires that public bodies routinely publish disclosure logs detailing requests made to them under the Act.

View the Summary of Non-Personal requests submitted to the Citizens Information Board FOI Disclosure Log 2016 - 2025